Eastern Roman Silver Ring with Garnet Cabochon with Eros and Goat

Of piriform shape with everted rim, gently chamfered upper lip and concave underside; lid with bevelled rim, gently dished upper face rising to a central dome and cylindrical handle with piecrust pleats; iridescent surfaces. 823 grams total, 29.5 cm high



Ex Sangiorgi collection, acquired in the 19th century. with Christie's, 3 June 1999, no.121. The remains of a 19th-early 20th-century label can be seen on the glass on one side. with Christie's, New York, 9 December 1999, no.476. American private collection, Westchester, New York, acquired in 1999. with Bonhams, London, 30 September 2015, no.91. Private collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13132-248966.

A similar jar in the British Museum was found in Warwick Square, London, inside a lead canister, and was originally filled with bone ashes. The Romans often reused glass jars, originally made for storing liquids and foodstuffs, as cremation vessels, but this kind of jar seems too fragile and was therefore probably purpose-made. The lead canister, which was found with the jar from London, protected the glass and bones. Georgio Sangiorgi is one of the most famous names associated with the field of ancient glass collecting. Working from the Galleria Sangiorgi in the Palazzo Borghese, Sangiorgi acquired the most magnificent collection of ancient glass, seeking only the finest examples.

Flat-section hoop with a raised circular bezel with a ring-and-dot motif, a pair of incuse ring-and-dot motifs on each shoulder. 3.51 grams, 22.85 mm overall, 18.61 mm internal diameter (approximate size British N, USA 6 1/2, Europe 13.72, Japan 13)



Acquired on the UK and EU art market before 2000. From the private collection of a Surrey, UK, gentleman.

Romano-Pannonian rings of the 3rd century A.D. were characterised by a small circular bezel with wide, sloping shoulders and a fairly thick hoop. The dots decorating them were often filled with enamel.

Comprising a piriform body and flared mouth with applied trails; strap handle above extending to two lateral loops; applied zigzag to lower body and applied foot. 67 grams, 15.5 cm



Acquired on the European art market in the early 2000s. with Galerie Rhéa, Zurich, Switzerland.